Traditional lower back surgery with open spinal fusion is a highly invasive operation because it involves large incisions and muscle disruption. While the surgery is meant to address a patient’s spinal cord and nerve root compression, as well as spinal instability and misalignment, its invasive nature can lead to a difficult and lengthy recovery for a patient. In some cases, symptoms can worsen or develop postoperatively in previously unaffected areas of the spine. For this reason, many patients who require lower back surgery with fusion choose to explore the minimally invasive options described in the following article.

What is minimally invasive spine surgery?

Minimally invasive back surgery with fusion is similar to traditional open spine surgery in that its purpose is to relieve nerve compression and stabilize the spine. However, the surgical approach that minimally invasive procedures take is far less invasive than open spine operations and offers less risk of complication.^

Minimally invasive decompression and spine stabilization are performed on an outpatient basis, which eliminates hospital-associated costs. Small incisions are used instead of large incisions and muscles are gently pushed apart instead of being disrupted. This helps to remove the cause of the nerve compression, realign displaced vertebrae and insert hardware and bone graft material to permanently fuse the affected area.

The lack of muscle disruption is a particularly important part of minimally invasive surgeries. Not only does keeping the muscles intact allow patients to feel less postoperative pain, but it also maintains the support system that the spine requires. As a result, recovery from minimally invasive back surgery and fusion is often faster than the recovery associated with traditional open spine surgery.

Minimally invasive spine surgery at Laser Spine Institute

Laser Spine Institute is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and we offer a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery.^ Our highly skilled surgeons perform minimally invasive stabilization (fusion) for the lower back in order to address spinal nerve compression and certain cases of spinal misalignment.

Since 2005, we have helped more than 75,000 patients get relief from their neck and back pain, earning us a 98 out of 100 patient satisfaction score.^ If you have been recommended for lower back surgery with open spinal fusion, contact Laser Spine Institute today to learn about whether our spinal fusion surgery would be effective for you.

Through a no-cost MRI review* of your spine, we can evaluate your condition to see if you are a candidate for one of our minimally invasive spine surgery procedures.

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*Our MRI review is an informational review of the MRI report that you provide to us and is not a form of diagnosis. A diagnosis and a final determination of whether you may benefit from treatment at Laser Spine Institute can only be made after you have been physically examined by our medical professionals at Laser Spine Institute. The MRI review has no value and will not be billed.